Guru Purnima: Honour the wisdom they impart,
Guiding our journey, enriching the heart.
Hey there ! Have you heard of Guru Purnima? It’s a super important festival in India, and it’s all about showing our respect and gratitude to our gurus. It falls on the full moon day of the month of Ashadha, and this year, it’s on July 10th, 2025 .
Now, you might be wondering why this festival is so special. Well, there are a few reasons behind it. First off, it’s the birthday of Maharishi Ved Vyasa, also known as the ‘Adi Guru’ (first guru) in Indian culture. He’s credited with compiling the Vedas, writing the epic Mahabharata, and 18 Puranas. Talk about a busy guy!
But that’s not all. It’s also believed that he was the first to teach his disciples the Vedas, which marked the beginning of the guru-disciple tradition. So, his birthday is also celebrated as ‘Vyasa Purnima,’ symbolising our dedication to knowledge.
On top of that, Guru Purnima is a time to express gratitude and respect towards our gurus. It’s a chance to remember all the hard work and wisdom they’ve shared with us. So, let’s make this year’s Guru Purnima a special one, filled with love, gratitude, and a whole lot of respect for our gurus.
In Indian culture, the guru holds a special place, even higher than God. They’re like the guides who lead us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge (‘Gu’ means darkness, and ‘Ru’ means light).
Today, we take a moment to express our gratitude to every guru in our lives—whether they’re spiritual gurus, teachers, parents, or anyone who’s shown us the right path.
On this day, we worship our gurus, touch their feet, and seek their blessings.
The Day Lord Shiva Gave the Knowledge of Yoga
Some believe that Lord Shiva, as the ‘Adi Guru’, shared the wisdom of yoga with the Saptarishis on this day. It’s also considered the birth of yoga and spiritual knowledge.
The Day Lord Buddha Gave His First Sermon
Guru Purnima holds great significance in Buddhism too. It’s believed that on this day, Lord Buddha gave his first sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana) at Sarnath. Buddhist followers celebrate this day as Dhamma Day.
The Beginning of Chaturmas
Guru Purnima marks the start of Chaturmas (four holy months). This is the time when Lord Vishnu goes into a deep sleep(yoga nidra ) and is especially important for spiritual practice, self-reflection, and living a disciplined life. During this time, we focus on purifying ourselves from the outside world.
Guru Purnima is a festival that reminds us of the importance of knowledge, the sacredness of the guru-disciple relationship, and gratitude and respect for everyone who’s guided us in life. It inspires us to keep seeking knowledge and improving ourselves.